Syrian refugees gain skills to find jobs in the city

Syrian refugees who have found a new home in the city now have the skills to find employment.

Many of the Arabic-speaking refugees have been attending English classes at Oaklands College, in Hatfield Road, or receiving lessons at home if they had mobility issues.

Some of the refugees are now able to communicate verbally and by email without the aid of an interpreter.

They have also written CVs with the help of the Refugee Council, which has been monitoring their progress, to help them find employment.

Cllr Brian Ellis, who is responsible for Housing, said: “We are doing our bit to help Syrian refugees and are on track to fulfilling our commitment to resettle 50 by 2020. We are likely to have taken in that number by the end of this year.

“This has been a terrific effort involving several different community organisations and individuals, including many volunteers.

“Among those who have helped us with this successful operation are local and national charities, the County’s other local authorities, the Network Homes housing association, Oaklands College and private landlords.

“We can be very proud of the fact that people in St Albans have shown themselves to be very welcoming and compassionate towards those who have endured traumatic experiences.

“I am very pleased that the refugees are also making major efforts to integrate and to contribute to the District by learning English and gaining employment.”

Ten families - 41 people – have now been taken in by the council St Albans City and District Council over the past two years under a Home Office scheme.

That is almost a third of the total number of Syrian refugees – 126 - that have been relocated to Hertfordshire.

Another family of five should arrive in the District shortly and will be housed in a property secured last month from a private landlord.

An update on the resettlement programme is to be given to a meeting of the Council’s Cabinet on Tuesday February 27.

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